Some believe putting the word woman in quotation marks plays upon both racial and transphobic stereotypes

Published Nov 13, 2018 at 1:44 PM

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Some believe putting the word woman in quotes plays upon both racial and transphobic stereotypes that Williams herself has been vocal about saying she's dealt with over the course of a storied career.

Don't quote her.

Some fans of Serena Williams are drawing aim at GQ Magazine for naming the tennis star its 2018 'Woman of the Year.' More to the point, they're upset with how that fact was illustrated on the magazine... with the word woman in quotation marks.

Others however, including Mick Rouse — a research manager for GQ — said on Twitter that the cover was handwritten by Virgil Abloh of Off-White. Abloh, who also designed Williams’ U.S. Open apparel, apparently often styles words he writes in quotation marks.

Because it was handwritten by Virgil Abloh of Off-White, who has styled everything in quotation marks as of late (see Serena's US Open apparel that he designed)

Considering the insults she's dealt with over the years, one would think putting woman in quotation marks, @virgilabloh "thing" or not, would spark controversy. Either way, there's no keeping this woman down! @serenawilliams is a SUPER woman anyway!❤�� pic.twitter.com/m9XMGKzmK7

This year, GQ released four covers — one with Williams and three others with Men of the Year Jonah Hill, Michael B. Jordan and Henry Golding. Serena Williams has not publicly commented on the controversy.